School choice legislation passes Senate

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - The Arkansas Senate has approved a rewrite of the state's school choice law that a federal judge last year ruled unconstitutional.

The Senate voted 34-0 Thursday for the bill that would allow students to change school districts as long as the transfer doesn't violate a court desegregation order.

Republican Sen. Johnny Key of Mountain Home sponsored the bill and says he plans to amend it before it goes to the state House. Key says he'll add a provision requiring the Legislature to revisit the issue in two years.

Key also says he'll limit transfers to 3 percent of a district's average daily membership - which he said is aimed at alleviating concerns about "white flight" and to limit the exodus of students from small, rural school districts.

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